With the exception of breeding bulls, all classes of dairy cattle have dropped in value compared to the previous year. A mixed age dairy cow now has a national average market value of $1,529 compared to $1,649 last year – a drop of 7.3%. Rising two-year heifers have dropped by a similar percentage to $1,313. Rising one-year heifers have a larger decrease of 15.6% to $691.

If you recall, there was a very high demand for R1 heifers 12 months ago which inflated that value at year end. This demand has now eased off and the value has dropped back accordingly.

There is certainly some variability throughout the country regarding mixed age cow prices. While the milk price remains strong and potentially increasing, there is obvious nervousness in the industry given the recent outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis cattle disease. The culling of herds in the South Island may push local values up – although due to restriction on stock movements and farmers' reluctance to introduce new cattle to their herd, we really do need to take a "wait and see" approach regarding where values are heading in the future.

As the herd value is a country-wide average, we need to consider each client's circumstances when buying and selling herds and look at what these average values mean for you.

Beef values are very much in line with expectations. Following on from four years of increases in values it is not surprising to see an easing or flattening out of beef values for the 2018 year. Mixed Age Cows were the only beef class to increase in value – from $1,431 to $1,497 – an increase of 4.6% - the fifth successive increase. All other classes eased somewhat with small drops in value.

Part of the reason for the decline is the dairy cow kill which is clogging meat processing plants at the moment. This has made store markets a little nervous meaning there is a slight fall in confidence levels – reflecting in the price of meat. The chilled beef market in the UK and China has helped to offset an increase in beef volumes coming out of the US market which would otherwise have negatively impacted NZ beef prices.

2018 has seen another rise in sheep values with an average increase of 15.5%. A two-tooth ewe is now valued at $179 compared to $150 in 2017. There are good feed supplies throughout the country at the moment which is allowing producers to add weight to their animals and benefit from an increase on price. Confidence in the sheep market is definitely buoyant.

Careful consideration needs to be given to your livestock election choices.

Even though changes were made to the herd scheme in recent years, there is still flexibility around how to value increases in numbers – if you increase your numbers during the year you are able to choose an alternative valuation option to value that increase.

Whether you take that option or you elect to value the increase using herd values will depend on a number of factors – such as:

where we are in the cycle of livestock values (eg at the bottom, or at the top)

if the increase is a permanent or a temporary one

your longer term intentions

As the decision is clearly one that should be made on a case-by-case basis, we will naturally discuss your valuation options with you on review of your 2018 financial statements and tax returns.

The information contained in this newsletter is of a general nature and should be used as a guide only.
A senior representative of Ean Brown Partners Ltd should be consulted for specific advice before any action is taken.